Playlist
(12 talks)

How to be a great leader

What makes a great leader? The ability to rule with an iron fist? Being well-liked? Or maybe just having a really loud voice? These TED speakers each offer much more nuanced approaches on how to inspire others.

Playlist (12 talks):
How to be a great leader

Simon Sinek has a simple but powerful model for inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question "Why?" His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers ...
(Filmed at TEDxPugetSound.)

“Simon Sinek’s take on the key to inspiring: communicating the why of what you’re doing.”

An orchestra conductor faces the ultimate leadership challenge: creating perfect harmony without saying a word. In this charming talk, Itay Talgam demonstrates the unique styles of six great 20th-century conductors, illustrating crucial lessons for all leaders.

“Itay Talgam asks us to lead like a great conductor, enabling other people’s voices to be heard at the same time as our own.”

The world is full of leadership programs, but the best way to learn how to lead might be right under your nose. In this clear, candid talk, Roselinde Torres describes 25 years observing truly great leaders at work, and shares the three simple but crucial questions would-be company chiefs need to ask to thrive in the future.

“Great leaders tend to ask three relatively simple questions, says Roselinde Torres, starting with: How are you anticipating the next change in your business model?”

Economics writer Tim Harford studies complex systems — and finds a surprising link among the successful ones: they were built through trial and error. In this sparkling talk from TEDGlobal 2011, he asks us to embrace our randomness and start making better mistakes.

“Because the best systems are built through trial and error, Tim Harford sees the key to leadership as encouraging people to try things and risk making a mistake.”

David Logan talks about the five kinds of tribes that humans naturally form — in schools, workplaces, even the driver's license bureau. By understanding our shared tribal tendencies, we can help lead each other to become better individuals.

“How do leaders lead? They influence action based on the worldview they radiate. And a great leader radiates something very specific…”

Four-star general Stanley McChrystal shares what he learned about leadership over his decades in the military. How can you build a sense of shared purpose among people of many ages and skill sets? By listening and learning — and addressing the possibility of failure.

“To inspire others and create a shared sense of purpose, General Stanley McChrystal says its essential to listen first. ”

We each want to live a life of purpose, but where to start? In this luminous, wide-ranging talk, Jacqueline Novogratz introduces us to people she's met in her work in "patient capital" — people who have immersed themselves in a cause, a community, a passion for justice. These human stories carry powerful moments of inspiration.

“Jacqueline Novogratz reveals how leadership is immersing yourself so deeply, that the cause becomes your life.”

With profound simplicity, Coach John Wooden redefines success and urges us all to pursue the best in ourselves. In this inspiring talk he shares the advice he gave his players at UCLA, quotes poetry and remembers his father's wisdom.